Methods and systems for air compressor and engine driven control
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorNathan Joe Jochman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Power systems and methods of controlling an engine driven air compressor include an air compressor driven by an engine via a clutch. A first pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure level at an outlet of the air compressor. An inlet valve configured to close in response to the first pressure sensor sensing a pressure level above a first pressure level. In addition, a second pressure sensor to sense a pressure level below a second pressure level at a housing of the air compressor, wherein the clutch is configured to disengage in response to the second pressure level, wherein the first pressure level is higher than the second pressure level.
Claims18
A method of controlling an engine driven air compressor, comprising:
- measuring, at a first pressure sensor, a first pressure level that exceeds a first threshold pressure level at an outlet of the air compressor;
- adjusting an inlet valve of the air compressor in response to the first pressure level exceeding the first threshold pressure level in order to limit an amount of air from being introduced into the air compressor;
- measuring, at a second pressure sensor, a second pressure level;
- controlling a clutch to disengage in response to the second pressure level falling below a second threshold pressure level, the clutch configured to transfer power from the engine to the air compressor;
- measuring a duration of time during which the clutch of the air compressor is disengaged;
- determining, at a controller, that the duration exceeds a threshold time;
- and
- controlling, via the controller, the engine to idle in response to the determination.
A power system comprising:
- an air compressor driven by an engine via a clutch;
- a first pressure sensor configured to sense a first pressure level at an outlet of the air compressor;
- an inlet valve configured to close in response to the first pressure sensor sensing a first pressure level above a first threshold pressure level;
- a second pressure sensor configured to sense a second pressure level;
- the clutch configured to disengage in response to the second pressure level falling below a second threshold pressure level, the clutch configured to transfer power from the engine to the air compressor;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- measure a duration of time during which the clutch of the air compressor is disengaged;
- determine whether the duration exceeds a threshold time duration;
- and
- control the engine to idle in response to a determination that the time duration exceeds the threshold time duration.
A power system configured for welding operations to control an engine driven air compressor, comprising:
- a first pressure sensor configured to measure a first pressure level that exceeds a first threshold pressure level at an outlet of the air compressor;
- an inlet valve of the air compressor configured to close in response to the first pressure level exceeding the first threshold pressure level in order to stop air from being introduced into the air compressor;
- a second pressure sensor configured to sense a second pressure level at the outlet of the air compressor;
- a clutch configured to disengage in response to the second pressure level falling below a second threshold pressure level, the clutch configured to transfer power from the engine to the air compressor;
- and
- a bleed down valve configured to activate in response to the first pressure level exceeding, the first threshold pressure level, which in turn controls the inlet valve to close, wherein the bleed down valve lowers a pressure level in the air compressor from the first pressure level to the second pressure level, wherein the first and second pressure sensors correspond to first and second switches operable to change state in response to the first and second pressure levels to control operation of the bleed down valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.